Malaria

The WHO European Region is malaria free

The WHO European Region hit its 2015 target to interrupt indigenous malaria transmission.

The number of locally-acquired indigenous cases dropped from 90 712 in 1995 to zero in 2015. The European Region is the first region in the world to achieve this goal as the result of strong political commitment from European leaders with WHO support. Key partners substantially funded malaria elimination efforts in European countries. However, keeping the malaria-free status of the Region with sustained political commitment and strong vigilance is now critical. Until malaria is eradicated globally, people travelling to and from malaria-endemic countries can import the disease to Europe, and countries need to keep working to prevent the reintroduction of malaria.

Background

Malaria, a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, causes at least 300 million cases of acute illness each year. Globally, it is the leading cause of death among young children, particularly those in remote areas with limited access to health services. Malaria poses a health problem for 40% of the world's population, and ranks as a major public health challenge for developing countries.